Banshee
(Sean Cassidy)
Context
Banshee (Sean Cassidy) appeared in 1967, in X-Men stories.
At first he was a bad guy, drawn in a startlingly racist way (depictions of Irish folks with monkey-like features were still a thing back then). So in some ways his “real” debut was in 1975, in the landmark Giant-Size X-Men, when he was recruited to join the all-new, all-different X-Men.
Since we like this guy this writeup was done *very* early. Back when we were almost entirely about hashing out DC Heroes RPG stats rather than writing character profiles. In some far mythical future we’ll have time to completely overhaul it, but in the meanwhile all we can do is look at it and scream.
Advertisement
Background
- Real Name: Sean Cassidy.
- Marital Status: Widower.
- Known Relatives: Theresa Rourke Cassidy (aka Siryn, daughter), Maeve Rourke Cassidy (wife, deceased), Thomas “Black Tom” Cassidy (cousin), Victoria “Tori” Donnely (cousin of Maeve), Liam Cassidy (ancestor, deceased).
- Group Affiliation: X-Corps (former) Teacher of Generation X, X-Men, Interpol, NYPD, Factor Three (under mental control).
- Base Of Operations: Unknown (former) Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters (Frost Valley, Massachusetts), Xavier Academy (Salem Center, Westchester County, New York).
- Height: 6’ Weight: 170 lbs. Age: Mid to late 30’s.
- Eyes: Blue-green Hair: Reddish-blond
Powers and Abilities
Banshee is a mutant with sonic-based powers. He can create powerful vibratory effects with his voice, using them to fly, to shatter objects, to place people in a trancelike hypnotic state, and as a form of sonar. He has been shown to have a high degree of control over his powers.
Description
See peekchur.
Personality
Sean is a free soul who gets irate only when he thinks about his villainous cousin Black Tom, or when someone close to him is threatened. He is a hopeless ladies’ man who has carried a torch for Moira MacTaggart for years. He has a fondness for American westerns.
Quotes
(To Vindicator) “And ye, Major Maple-Leaf or whate‘er ye call yourself, you’ve hurt the woman I love ! And if it costs me life… I’m goin’ to make ye pay !”
DC Universe History
Banshee was an Interpol operative who went rogue when he was held back from his investigations of an international serial killer(see Generation X for this). He wound up on the wrong side of the law when he tracked down the killer and killed him to stop his predations, and became a wanted criminal himself.
He wound up taking refuge in the Suicide Squad, and, eventually becoming a more respected meta, found himself throwing in with the Doom Patrol.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Banshee
| Dex: 05 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 07 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Teacher |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 07 | Resources {or Wealth}: 007 |
| Init: 019 | HP: 070 |
Powers:
Direction hearing: 03, Extended hearing: 02, Flight: 09, Flash [Sonic]: 08, Sonar: 08, Sonic Beam: 15, Sonic Beam (Area Effect 1 AP): 09, Hypnotism: 07, Flame Immunity: 10, Neutralize: 15
Bonuses and Limitations:
- All Powers (Except Direction hearing, Extended hearing, Flame Immunity): Contingent to Sonic Beam (-1).
- Flash is Sonic in nature and affects Hearing (0).
- Flame Immunity: Only against Black Tom’s Flame and Energy Blast powers (-3).
- Flight does not allow him to carry more than 2 APs of weight or one person.
- Neutralize only against electronic devices (sonic vibrations will knock them offline without heavily damaging them).
- Sonic Beam can of course be used to Block other sonic/vibration attacks.
Skills:
Artist (piano): 04, Charisma*: 05, Detective*: 05, Evasion (Aerial only): 07, Gadgetry: 03, Martial Artist: 05, Military science (demolition): 03, Vehicles: 05, Weaponry (Firearms): 06
Bonuses and Limitations:
Banshee’s Vehicles skill apply to both piloting and mechanics of air/spacecrafts (+1).
Advantages:
Familiarity (American Western movies ; American country music), Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Scholar (Electronics), Sharp Eye.
Connections:
X-teams (High), Interpol (Low), NYPD (Low).
Drawbacks:
Arch Enemy [Black Tom Cassidy], Guilt, Loss Vulnerability (Banshee cannot use his powers if his voice is somehow neutralized (No Intrinsic Range, All Powers except Flame Immunity), Mistrust (Mutant), Secret Identity.
Previous Statistics
Banshee seems to be one of the more stable mutants in Marvel’s répertoire. He has changed surprisingly little over the years, most changes being character-driven background revelations or subplot involvements (i.e., his Power Complication subplot where he lost his Sonic powers). When he has had his powers, they remained at a fairly static level.
Before her death from the Legacy Virus, Sean had Moira MacTaggart as a Dependent (10 Points).
70 HPs is for Banshee as an active X-Man ; before or after that he tended to operate with 30 HPs instead.
Helper(s): Andrew Lee (for the Black Tom writeup), Jackson, Michael Davis (for the quote), Gareth Lewis quoting the X-Men Roster Book (for the Personality), Sébastien Andrivet (stuff), Vinnie.
Source of Character: Marvel Comics (X-Men, Generation X).